Device for dispensing a padding material for packaging purposes

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a cushion means for packaging purposes, comprising a dispensing means which provides the cushion means, and a withdrawal region from which a user can take the dispensed cushion means. At least one sensor means is present, which detects an engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or the presence or absence of at least one region of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in a detection region adjacent to the withdrawal region. The providing device dispenses a cushion means depending on the detected engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or depending on the presence and/or absence of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for dispensing a cushion means for packaging purposes, comprising dispensing means for dispensing said cushion means, a withdrawal region from which a user may withdraw said dispensed cushion means, and at least one sensor means which detects, at least indirectly, an engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or the presence of at least one region of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in a detection region adjacent to the withdrawal region, wherein the dispensing means dispenses a cushion means when the sensor means detects an engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or the presence of the at least one region of the hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region, wherein the dispensing is done by conveying the cushion means towards the withdrawal region. 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing means dispenses the cushion means such that a first region of the cushion means that can be withdrawn is detachably connected to a second region of the cushion means, and that the sensor means detects at least an indirect action by the user on the second region of the cushion means with the withdrawal of the first region of the cushion means. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing means comprises a motor drive, and that the sensor means detects a change in the state of the motor drive due to the at least indirect action by the user on the second region of the cushion means. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means changes a signal state when at least one region of a hand enters the withdrawal region or the detection region. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means changes a signal state when at least one region of a hand leaves the withdrawal region or the detection region. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a light barrier, an image recognition means, an infrared detector, and/or an ultrasound detector, in or on the withdrawal region or the detection region. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor means comprises a torque sensor, a force transducer, and/or a current sensor, at a motor drive of the dispensing means. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the withdrawal region or the detection region is arranged directly on the dispensing means. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the withdrawal region is arranged away from the dispensing means, and that a transport means is arranged between the dispensing means and the withdrawal region, which transports a cushion means dispensed by the dispensing means to the withdrawal region. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the transport means transports a cushion means depending on the engaging of the provided cushion means by the user and/or the detected presence and/or absence of the at least one region of the hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the transport means only initiates a transport after expiration of a predetermined time interval after a detected engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or for a detected presence and/or absence of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region, and/or that the dispensing means only dispenses a cushion means after a predetermined time interval after a detected engaging of the dispensed cushion means by the user and/or detected presence and/or absence of the at least one region of the hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the withdrawal region or the detection region extends over a length, and the sensor means which detects the presence and/or absence of at least one region of a hand of the user in the withdrawal region or in the detection region is arranged and formed such that it acts over at least part of the length of the withdrawal region or the detection region.